Hobbits, Superheroes and Superfans Gearing Up for San Diego Comic-Con

The celebration of all things pop culture began decades ago as a humble comic convention, but has since become a major Hollywood destination. Some of the celebrities confirmed to show up this year to pitch their movies to rabid fans include Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Jaime Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., and Jessica Biel, promoting a host of movies, including Total Recall, Django Unchained, and Iron Man 3, just to name a few.

Entertainment Weekly senior writer Anthony Breznican tells ABC News Radio that some fans go for the stars, and others go to geek out with like-minded friends.

“It is a weird, weird place,” he says. “You know, you’ll find yourself waiting to cross the street, and there’ll be an R2-D2 on one side, and uh, somebody dressed up as the characters from Twilight on the other, and a bunch of Orks marching behind you. …It’s a surreal experience.”

Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson’s upcoming Hobbit film panel will be a hot ticket, as will anything that has to do with Marvel.

“They sat out Comic-Con last year,” Breznican says. “This year, after the success of The Avengers, they have a lot to talk about. The primary focus of the presentation will be Iron Man 3. But, they’re also going to be talking about Thor 2, and Captain America 2, which are already in the pipeline.”